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865 Fest
2025-09-16 08:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Bridgewater Place, 205 Bridgewater Road, Knoxville
865 Fest is a full-day entrepreneurial event hosting visionary keynotes, premier pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and much more to explore how big ideas move from concept to reality. Gather alongside Knoxville’s brightest founders, investors, executives and business leaders for insights on transformative tech, bold business moves and regional success stories.
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for a networking breakfast and registration. Programming will begin at 9 a.m. EST. Lunch will be provided.
At the event, six Knoxville startups will pitch before a live audience and panel of judges in hopes of winning the Judges’ Choice Award and the Crowd Favorite Award, totaling $15,000 in cash prizes.
Emerging entrepreneurs will also showcase their ideas in a student pitch competition for a cash prize, presented by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
This year, programming will include featured panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions designed to spark ideas, foster collaboration, and celebrate innovation in our region.

Anderson Center | Vol Court - How to create a plan for your idea
2025-09-10 16:00 - 17:30 | University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Vol Court features three entrepreneurial workshops, a business idea pitch competition, $3,000 in cash prizes, and a wealth of learning opportunities. The sessions are open to all UT, Knoxville students and eocystsme partners.
Session 2: On Campus, HBB634

3686 Entrepreneurship Conference
2025-09-08 - 2025-09-10 | Cannery Hall, Nashville
3686 brings hundreds of innovators, startup founders, investors, and more from across the country to Nashville. 2025’s conference promises high-impact connections and additional focus on networking and AI-powered one-on-one matchmaking, alongside thought leader speakers and timely panels exploring top issues and challenges shaping the landscape.

Startup Studio Demo Day
2025-09-05 10:00 - 12:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Friday, September 5th 10am-12pm @ 121 Tech Hub
The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invites the community to attend the 2025 Startup Studio Demo Day.

Anderson Center | Vol Court - How to come up with an idea
2025-09-03 16:00 - 17:30 | University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Vol Court features three entrepreneurial workshops, a business idea pitch competition, $3,000 in cash prizes, and a wealth of learning opportunities. The sessions are open to all UT, Knoxville students and eocystsme partners.
Session 1: On Campus, HBB634

Knoxville | Women in Tech Networking Happy Hour
2025-08-28 16:30 - 18:30 | Carolina Ale House, 9045 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
Make new connections with Knoxville’s women in tech community! We’ll be gathering for a laidback happy hour at Carolina Ale House.

2025 Spark Cleantech Accelerator Cohort Welcome Reception
2025-08-27 08:30 - 10:00 | Seminar Room of the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials on the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm
Join the Spark Innovation Center and the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce as we welcome the newest Spark Cleantech Accelerator and Innovation Crossroads cohorts to our entrepreneurial ecosystem!

THE WORKS Accelerator Demo Day
2025-08-20 16:00 - 19:00 | The Square Room, 4 Market Square, Knoxville
Founders pitch to a packed house of investors, mentors, and peers.
Location: The Square Room
Date: August 20th, 2025
4PM: Doors open
4:30PM: Opening Remarks from Mayor Kincannon – and company pitches
6-7PM: Happy Hour
RSVP LINK:https://www.tickettailor.com/events/knoxvilleentrepreneurcenter/1790523

Knoxville | Tech Architecture: AI for Enterprise
2025-07-31 17:00 - 18:00 | CGI Offices, 900 South Gay Street, Suite 1000, Knoxville
Join Knoxville-area tech architecture professionals to connect and explore the challenges and opportunities of AI integration.

2025 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW)
2025-07-22 - 2025-07-23 | Knoxville Convention Center
NOW is ETEC’s Nuclear Opportunities Workshop, Tennessee’s premier nuclear industry conference focused on all things nuclear: fission, fusion, isotopes, environmental management, AI in nuclear, workforce and more. For the past seven years it has been a place to learn about industry developments, business opportunities, and advancements in research and technologies. Attendees can network and engage with experts from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its contractors, as well as a diverse array of small and large private-industry companies showcasing projects and technological capabilities.

Chattanooga Fab Institute 2025
2025-07-09 08:00 - 2025-07-11 17:00
Join us for the 7th Annual Chattanooga FAB Institute July 9 – 11, 2025, in Chattanooga, TN, proudly presented by the Public Education Foundation and Hamilton County Schools, in collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America. Actively engage in a transformative professional development experience for K-12 educators, centered around innovative digital fabrication technologies in our state-of-the-art Volkswagen eLabs.
Don’t miss out on our Early Bird special! Register by April 30, 2025 and save 50%. Visit http://www.vwelab.org/chattfab for the latest updates and information.
Why Attend?

Engage in hands-on learning with cutting-edge digital fabrication tools.
Explore a range of technologies including 3D printing, laser engraving/cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC routing, and micro-computing.
Start each day with inspiring keynotes from guest speakers.
Experience practical, in-depth workshops led by Volkswagen eLab Specialists who serve as full-time teachers in labs in Hamilton County.

Pre-conference workshops
Enhance your experience by registering for two preconference workshops on July 8, 2025. These sessions offer introductory guidance on utilizing the tools available in the VW eLabs, setting you up for success during the main event.

Orange Hat Tech Summit
2025-06-20 12:00 - 16:00 | 10246 Hardin Valley Road Knoxville, TN 37932
Hosted by Solomon IT, a Knoxville-based IT Managed Service Provider with 15+ years in business and over 80 clients in the region, this summit will bring together business owners, IT pros, and technology partners for a relaxed afternoon of networking, product demos, a live keynote panel, and a cold beer or two. We hope to see you there.

The Women & Shora Foundation - Crown Pitch
2025-06-19 18:00 - 21:00 | 2119 E Magnolia Ave
Join The Women and Shora Foundation at the 2025 Crown Pitch Competition — where excitement, inspiration, and celebration collide! ✨
🗓️ When: Juneteenth – June 19, 2025
💵 Prize: A total of $10,000 up for grabs! 💸
We’re celebrating Black excellence and entrepreneurship as business owners pitch their ideas for a chance to win BIG! 🙌 This is more than a competition—it’s a community celebration showcasing the incredible Black-owned businesses right here in Knoxville! 🖤
Come early to get a seat and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Doors open at 5:30 PM

Brandcamp for THE WORKS Accelerator in Knoxville
2025-06-18 08:30 - 15:00 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Brandcamp leads local Knoxville companies through a series of class sessions and activities in order to help business owners and founders understand the process of brand planning, including market research, the development of a brand platform, customer discovery and the exploration of the customer journey, persona-based messaging and channel planning.
The objective of this program is to provide business owners and founders with a deep understanding of the importance of brand planning, and to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to develop a brand plan that will help set their companies up for success.

Knoxville Chamber Shrimp Boil 2025
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Lighthouse Knoxville, 6800 Baum Drive
his business climate program will feature great food and the opportunity for business community representatives to meet with local elected officials and others from across the state of Tennessee who have been invited to attend.
Two ticket options are available: individual tickets at standing cocktail tables, or table purchases for a sit-down experience.
Reserved tables include one table of ten (10), table sign displaying your logo, two drink tickets per guest + bucket of bottled beer, and a southern country boil buffet.
Parking will be available onsite.

THE WORKS 2025 Kickoff Happy Hour
2025-06-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Maple Room, 414 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
A 1.5-hour informal networking session with THE WORKS founders, mentors, and community members.

Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) Knoxville
2025-06-10 09:00 - 10:30 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Women in Entrepreneurship Knoxville, or “WiE” is a community of nearly 2000 women entrepreneurs that hosts regular monthly meet-ups and is an active Facebook Group community.
The monthly meetup takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month from 9:00 – 10:30 am at KEC, 17 Market Square, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

City of Knoxville's 16th Annual Business Opportunities Breakfast
2025-06-10 07:30 - 11:00 | 500 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.
Network & connect with City of Knoxville and partner agencies while learning about business opportunities planned for the next 12-18 months.
In celebration of our 16th anniversary of the breakfast, we’re rolling out a new format for this years event. The focus of this year’s breakfast will be allowing space for the business attendees and department representatives to have one-on-one conversations to talk about the upcoming procurements and projects, as well as the projected small dollar spend opportunities they have planned for the next fiscal year. While those conversations are taking place, attendees waiting to connect will be able to view the department slide presentations, containing both your large and small upcoming project/spend which will be displayed in the background.
Some of the participating departments include: Engineering, Police, Fire, Fleet, Purchasing, Housing & Neighborhood Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Service.
In addition, officials from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, the Public Building Authority, Knoxville Area Transit, Knoxville Utilities Board, ASM Global, and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, will be on hand to outline their projects and business needs.
Address: 500 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.

2nd Annual RJ Young Tech Connect in Nashville
2025-06-03 15:00 - 19:00 | Ole Red 300 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201
Join us at RJ Young’s Tech Connect, where technology and networking merge. Connect with experts, forge valuable business relationships, and immerse yourself in the technology businesses across the country are using to modernize their offices. Take advantage of having our top partners from around the country in one space to see the latest technologies first-hand.

Our 2025 Tech Connect event will be held at “Ole Red” on the Honky Tonk Highway in downtown Nashville. This venue has a lot of unique offerings, such as the glam-meets-grit rooftop bar with views of lower Broadway, live music, scratch-made Southern dishes, and signature drinks…all inspired by the boss man himself: Blake Shelton.

Attendees will have uninterrupted access to the city’s best nightlife, while enjoying an authentic Nashville experience. With event space covering 26,000 square feet, guests can enjoy the perfect combination of sophisticated spaces, roomy gathering areas, and laid-back hangouts. Join us for this 4-floor takeover of “two-steppin,’ hell-raisin,’ country-lovin’ fun” with RJ Young!

Chamber Briefing Breakfast
2025-05-21 09:30 - 10:30 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square
The Knoxville Chamber and TenHats would like to invite new investors, new team members of investors, community members, and anyone who wants to hear more about our mission to join us for the Chamber Briefing Breakfast.
We will share more about what is going on in economic development, regional enhancement, and talent retention and attraction efforts.
Investors who are already familiar with the Chamber’s work or have attended a briefing in the past year might not need to join this session.

The Business of Music Panel Knoxville
2025-05-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Visit Knoxville Visitors Center, 301 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Claim your ticket for a special live event that explores the powerful connection between music, business, and community-building, right here in Knoxville.
Hosted by Chris McAdoo, the evening kicks off with a viewing of Episode 4 from KEC’s newest podcast season: “You Gotta Find Your People”—a candid and inspiring conversation between acclaimed artist Drew Holcomb and emerging singer-songwriter Kelsi Walker.
After the screening, stick around for a dynamic Music Business Panel moderated by Garrett Thompson of Knoxville Music Coalition, featuring local leaders in the industry as they share insights, challenges, and real stories about building a life—and a legacy—in music.
This is your backstage pass to the heart of Knoxville’s creative community.
Free and open to the public.

KTech Mix & Mingle at the Visit Knoxville Open
2025-05-20 16:30 - 18:30 | Holston Hills Country Club, 5200 Holston Hills Rd, Knoxville, 37914
Join the Knoxville Technology Council at the Visit Knoxville Open for a very special networking event!
Mix & mingle in the Holston Hills Clubhouse while enjoying the sweeping views along with open bar & appetizers. Then settle in for an exclusive opportunity to meet & greet with surprise special guests.
PLUS all attendees will receive a daily admission pass to come back out to the tournament—you don’t want to miss this!
Early Bird Registration is active for employees of KTech member companies. Email admin [at] knoxtech.org to receive the access code. Registration will open for all on Tuesday, May 6.

Small Business & Entrepreneur Conference (Putnam County)
2025-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 | 6000 Tennessee Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38506
Running a business is hard—we get it. That’s why this one-day conference was built for folks just like you. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just ready to grow, this event will give you the tools, tips, and connections to keep moving forward.
You’ll learn from breakout sessions on the stuff that matters: marketing, IT, legal, finance, and even AI (we’ll make it make sense).
What’s included:

A keynote session with former Disney exec Vance Morris (yes, the guy behind the “Dine with a Character” magic)

A professional headshot booth (get that polished look for your LinkedIn or website)

A chance to connect with 100+ local entrepreneurs

Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi (yep, it’s all covered)

VIP ticket holders get an exclusive dinner + workshop with Vance the night before

Applications close for the Spark Cleantech Accelerator
2025-05-16
The Spark Cleantech Accelerator is a 12-week program that kicks off late August at the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 2025 Spark Cleantech Accelerator will begin on Aug. 25, 2025 and end on Nov. 20, 2025. The program provides mentorship, connections, stipends, prototyping services, and business acceleration services to early stage cleantech entrepreneurs to help commercialize new innovations.
Applications Close May 16th!

Growing Together: Women's Business Summit
2025-05-16
Join us for a day of inspiration and growth with Erin Stafford, author and leadership expert, in this exclusive masterclass designed for female professionals. Learn powerful strategies to overcome burnout, shift your mindset, and achieve peak performance while maintaining balance in both your career and personal life.
Erin will share insights from her diverse career, including her work with top brands like Apple and Nike, and her experience leading marketing for a major healthcare staffing company. You’ll walk away with actionable tools to boost performance and resilience, and connect with other like-minded women in a supportive environment.
Don’t miss this opportunity to thrive without compromising your well-being.

Nashville Entrepreneur Day
2025-05-15 13:00 - 18:00 | Geodis Park, 501 Benton Avenue, Nashville, 37203
Join us for Nashville Entrepreneur Day, a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact in Nashville and around the world!
We’re honored to welcome Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Commissioner Stuart McWhorter (Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development) as our opening speakers—underscoring entrepreneurship’s importance to our city and our state.
This event is for you if you’re a potential investor, advisor, community supporter, fellow entrepreneur, or simply curious about Nashville’s innovation scene.
Whether you’re building your own venture or looking to invest in the next big idea, this is your chance to connect with Nashville’s most promising startups—all in one place, all in one afternoon. The Nashville Entrepreneur Day brings together 92 companies and 115 founders from five of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s accelerator programs to pitch their businesses to prospective customers, investors, connectors, and the community. Nashville’s entire entrepreneurial ecosystem will come together to learn, celebrate, and support what’s next. From creative ventures to consumer brands, health and wellness to fintech, this event is your front-row seat to the startups shaping the region’s future—all while reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.

Lunch & Learn (Virtual) - Chattanooga
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:30
Tech Goes Home Tennessee, a program of The Enterprise Center in Chattanooga, partners with schools, public libraries, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations across Southeast Tennessee to offer free computer classes to help residents develop the skills and access necessary for technology and Internet use. By uniting people, organizations, and technology, we are working to build a more advanced and connected future for all of Tennessee. Come learn about the program directly form the people running it!

Nashville AI Week
2025-05-14 - 2025-05-16
Nashville AI Week is the community-powered ‘unconference’ that brings together local, regional, and national leaders to explore the future of artificial intelligence in the Nashville region — and beyond!
The three-day event includes featured and keynote speakers, panels and workshops, networking events, innovation showcase, and plenty of opportunities for attendees and sponsors to network, learn, share, and grow.
AI Week is powered by Enterprise Technology Association, The Innovation Studio, and a coalition of community partners — and it’s not too late to get involved!

Register to attend: https://www.nashvilleaiweek.com/agenda

Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) Knoxville
2025-05-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Women in Entrepreneurship Content Creation “Field Trip” In and Around Market Square!

Join us on Tuesday, May 13th! In this month’s meeting we will have hands-on stations for content creation and social media mini-workshops set up in the KEC office and around Market Square (weather permitting!)
We will have stations set up for:

Business & Personal Branding – Amanda Wolfe, Grow Co Lab
Mobile Phone Social Photography – Pheme Marketing
Mobile Phone Video Content – Hannah Basht, Trov Creative
Content Planning & Canva Tips – Halee Sprinkle, Czech Yourself Marketing

Leadership Knoxville night at Covenant Health Park
2025-05-09 18:30 - 21:00 | Covenant Health Park
Gather with your fellow LK Alumni at the One Knox Soccer Game on the Covenant Health Park Party Deck on May 9th!
Celebrate the end of LK’s class year, watch One Knox’s second Home Game in the Old City, and enjoy a post-game concert and fireworks in partnership with the Southern Skies Music Festival.
